"Amigos"

"Amigos"
A drama by David Williamson
Directed by Rob Whitehead                                                

Garrick Theatre is proud to present Amigos, a play about the emotional costs of masculine culture, of the corrosive effects of the pursuit of success above all else, and of the ultimate hollowness of some men's claims to friendship.

Written by Australian playwright David Williamson, the story centres on a bronze medal winning rowing team from the 1968 Olympics. It was lifetime bonding material.

Thirty five years later only two of the Amigos keep in touch. Jim is a banker, with money, an expensive house, and a young and beautiful wife. It seems he has it all, but his friend Dick, a heart surgeon, has something that Jim wants: a sterling reputation.

The two mates, and their wives, meet up in Port Douglas with competing personal agendas. And then Steven, a third Amigo, turns up ready to expose all about their past. And so the games begin……

Amigos is a savagely funny play that exposes the subtle aggression and unacknowledged dependencies of male friendship and the angst and irritation created for those on the friendship's sidelines. Here David Williamson, Australia's most popular and successful playwright, looks at what happens when mate-ship and mating collide.

Director Robert Whitehead studied Theatre Arts at Curtin University in the early 1980s, which gave him a solid grounding in all aspects of theatre. He worked professionally as an actor for a time in the mid 80s until the clichéd "too many actors not enough work" syndrome set in.

Not being prepared to move to the Eastern States chasing work, he decided to get a "proper job", and to ease the acting pangs joined his local club 'Arena Theatre' run by some old friends from Uni. During more than 15 years with the club, Rob donned many hats and had a whale of a time. Two years ago he felt a need to expand his local club experiences and auditioned for the Garrick Theatre (also a club much closer to home).

Rob has been seen on Garrick's stage as The Phantom in The House of Frankenstein; directed the award winning one-act play Gum & Goo, and is now tackling the intricacies of the brilliant Australian playwright, David Williamson.

Suitable for Adult audiences. Contains adult themes and some coarse language.

Featuring:  Irma McCullen, Carol Harris, Graham Sharpe, Rodney van Groningen & Chris Bedding. 
Venue:  Garrick Theatre, 16 Meadow Street, Guildford. (behind the Town Hall)
Performance Dates: 
November 28, 29, 30*, December 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13.
Time: All shows start at 8pm.
*Except for Sunday 30^th November Matinee performance at 2pm.
Doors and Garrick bar open 30 minutes prior to curtain.
Tickets: Adult $15, Concession $12   
Bookings: Swan Valley Visitor Centre ph: 9379 9400 daily 9am – 4pm.
Group bookings of 20 plus - Ken Swindale ph: 9279 7138
Bookings open Monday 20^th October 2008
Website Info:      Garrick Theatre - www.garricktheatre.asn.au
Media Enquiries: Media enquiries Lynne Devenish 0418 906 076 or garrickarchives@hotmail.com